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Starlight Christmas

published by simplysophie on Wed, 12/01/2010 - 17:39

In Japan, Christmas means turning on the bright lights

Christmas in Japan can be rather strange for those who are used to the typical western style Christmas. As you walk around the streets of major cities you might find many places with Christmas lights, Santa Claus, and the sound of Christmas carols. When you walk around the streets of Tokyo

you might find any department stores advertising as if it was Valentines Day. For many Japanese, they celebrate Christmas on the 24th, rather than the 25th. For the young couples this is the most romantic day of the year, they usually buy each other presents and go on a date on the 24th. As for families, some parents will buy their kids a present and some families like going to Kentucky Fried Chicken, or KFC, for their dinner on the 24th. The lines at KFC are very long and you might even have to wait half hour to an hour in some places just to get fried chicken! At the end of the night, many families and couples will have their "Christmas cake" that costs anywhere from 2,000YEN and up, to cap their Christmas celebration.

There are many places tp check out the beautiful Christmas lights, and here is a list if the Top 10 sites to see.

1. SAPPORO WHITE ILLUMINATION

More than 370,000 white lights are decorated in the Odori Park and Sapporo Ekimae-dori. The light up continues until mid-February.

2. SENDAI PAGEANT OF STARLIGHT

More than 600,000 lights are decorated on the keyaki trees along the Jouzenji-dori street and Aoba-dori street. Sendai is a great place to visit.

3. OSAKA HIKARI RENAISSANCE

Osaka Nakanoshima area is surrounded by rivers, and there are lots of cultural facilities. Visit Osaka City Hall, Nakanoshima Library, Nakanoshima Illumination Street, and Nakanoshima Koen to see Christmas lights and events.

4. HIROSHIMA DREAMINATION

Hiroshima City is filled with holiday lights, which image fairy tales. The main area is the Heiwa Odori street.

5. TENJIN CHRISTMAS

Buildings and trees in Tenjin area in Fukuoka-city are decorated with colorful lights. The main attraction here is the "Chapel on the Water" ate the Kego Koen Park.

6. QUEEN'S SQUARE YOKOHAMA CHRISTMAS

The main attraction here is a large Christmas tree called "the singing tree". Music shows which illuminations on the Christmas tree change with music are held in the evening.

7. KANUCHA STARDUST FANTASIA

Kanucha Resort is a hotel resort in Nago-city, Okinawa. The resort is decorated by more than one million lights if you aren't staying at the hotel, you will need a ticket to see the illuminations.

8. KOBE HARBORLAND CANAL GARDEN STARLIGHT

Canal Garden is an entertainment complex in Kobe Harborland. The main attraction here is a 21.5m high Christmas tree.

9. WINTER FANTASIA

Keyaki trees in the Saitama Shintoshin Keyaki Square are decorated with more than 100,000 lights. Visit the Saitama Super Arena to see the illuminations.

10. NAGOYA JR CENTRAL TOWERS LIGHTS

JR Central Towers are located on top of the Nagoya Station. Inside and outside of the JR Central Towers are decorated with beautiful Christmas lights. Also, lots of Christmas concerts are held.